QUIET
![](https://www.squad-germany.de/ycickowu/2023/10/quiet-300x182-1.jpg)
QUIET (“Quantum Internet of Things”) is a joint project funded by the BMBF with the aim of developing a hybrid quantum-conventional – i.e. based on both Quantum Technologies and classic communication technology – communication network.
MOTIVATION
The digitization of our society is progressing more and more. An ever-increasing number of devices have network connections, which means that they can exchange information with one another and thus respond optimally to user requirements.
This “Internet of Things” and the associated increase in the exchange of our data places increasing demands on the security of our communication networks. New technologies are required to meet these demands. Previous network-enabled devices regularly exchange data with each other. Currently, however, they encrypt your data based on cryptographic protocols, which are based exclusively on the finite performance of today’s computers. This limits the maximum possible data rates and data security. The use of Quantum States in a Quantum Communication network offers a novel solution. Here, data is encrypted and exchanged with each other using Quantum States of light based on fundamental laws of nature. This will allow messages to be transmitted securely and quickly in the future.
GOALS AND PROCEDURE
The joint project “Quantum Internet of Things (QUIET)” aims to develop a hybrid quantum-conventional communication network. In the interaction of distributed Quantum States and conventional transmission, (Quantum) Sensors are to be networked. This should significantly increase the performance and security of the network. All levels of the network are considered, from the physical layer to network protocols. In the project leading research groups from the fields of Quantum Communication and network technology are working intensively with companies from the telecommunications sector with the “Innovation Hub of Quantum Communication”.
Partners
DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG, T‑LABS
The T‑Labs are the research and development department of Deutsche Telekom AG (DTAG), which focuses on implementing new technology trends and delivering tangible results for Deutsche Telekom’s innovation portfolio. Current research areas at T‑Labs include: Future Networks, Spatial Computing, Network Security & Digital Twin and decentralized systems. Co-Research is the team’s main task with the vision of achieving the best possible customer experience and researching disruptive technologies for future telecom infrastructures. From the Berlin location, T‑Labs works with the world’s leading universities, start-ups, investors, research institutes and industrial innovation institutions to shape the future of communication services together.
In the QUIET project DTAG focuses both on the end-to-end functionality of an integrated Quantum IoT System and on architectural and operational aspects that represent the skills to be provided in a cost- and time-optimized way. In particular, DTAG would like to pursue the potential for innovation in the “security-by-design” dimension, i.e. robustly providing security and privacy from the sensor to the backend and back with the appropriate use of Quantum Resources. Opportunities for improving performance in terms of data throughput and energy efficiency should also be examined more closely along the IoT end-to-end view.
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT (TU) DRESDEN
Prof. Dr. Frank H. P. Fitzek (DTPK):
More than 70 scientists work at the Deutsche Telekom Professorship for Communication Networks. The main research areas of the chair focus on 5G/6G, the tactile internet, Quantum Communication, post-Shannon theory, network coding (NC), compressed sensing (CS), software defined networks (SDN), network function virtualization (NFV) and distributed Cloud Computing (CC). The chair manages the 6G-life research hub, the Cluster of Excellence Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop (CeTI) and coordinates the Center for Explainable and Efficient AI Technologies (CEE-AI).
Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Jürgen Czarske (MST):
The Chair for Measurement and Sensor System Technology (MST) headed by Prof. Czarske has proven expertise in the development of systems for photonics and optics. Prof. Czarske is a Fellow of OPTICA, SPIE and EOS. Since working for Siemens AG in the 1980s, he has had experience in optical communications technology. MST has received over 80 scientific awards and honors, most recently the Joseph Fraunhofer Award / Robert M. Burley Prize and the Bertha Benz Prize from the Daimler and Benz Foundation. The MST chair is working on paradigm shifts for computer-aided laser systems that are tailored to specific areas of application. Using deep learning, few-mode and multimode fibers can be characterized to transfer to physical layer security and Quantum Communications.
Prof. Dr. Kambiz Jamshidi (IPD):
The Integrated Photonic Devices (IPD) group uses a fabless approach, i. H. focuses on the modelling, design and characterization of photonic circuits. The IPD is involved in several projects/initiatives and works together with several national and international research institutes and companies. The IPD group deals with the realization of photonic structures with EPIC and PIC technologies with a focus on Quantum Communication and (classical and non-classical) computing applications.
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dirk Plettemeier (HFT):
The Chair of High Frequency Technology (HFT) headed by Prof. Plettemeier has extensive experience in the development of photonic systems and high frequency electronics as well as application-oriented communication systems. In particular, the integration of broadband antennas and ultra-fast data transmission systems is a focus. In addition to the antenna development, this also includes the investigation of the propagation of electromagnetic waves in the specific application scenario, the characterization of electromagnetic material properties for the antenna design and the metrological characterization of the manufactured antennas. The chair also has experience with the measurement and construction of microwave photonic and optical communication systems.
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT (TU) MÜNCHEN
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dr. rer. nat. Holger Boche (LTI):
The LTI working group at TUM has been working on the development of Quantum Communication since 2010. An important building block for a future technological use of Quantum Systems for information transmission is a mathematically developed and operationally meaningful Quantum Information Theory. As in the case of classical information, an asymptotic theory in the sense of Shannon is a suitable framework. The main focus of the research work is a quantitative understanding of the role of various communication resources of a classical and quantum-theoretical nature and their mutual relationships with one another.
Dr.-Math. Christian Deppe (LNT):
Since 2018, Dr. Deppe teaches and researches in the field of Quantum Technologies at the Chair of Communications Engineering at the Technical University of Munich led by Prof. Gerhard Kramer (Humboldt Professorship 2010). In teaching and research in electrical engineering, he represents the areas of Quantum Error Correction, Quantum Algorithms, Quantum Communication, coding theory, discrete mathematics and optimization. In Munich, Dr. Deppe heads the BMBF projects “Quantum Repeater in Quantum Communication Networks” and “Information and Coding Theory for Quantum Token-Based Authentication and Secure Storage”.
Dr. rer. nat. Janis Nötzel (TQD):
Dr. Nötzel received his doctorate in 2012 with his dissertation “Quantum Communication under Channel Uncertainty”. He worked in the BMBF projects “System models and multipath communication protocols for quantum repeaters” and “Eavesdropping-proof communication, attacks and system design”, was a DFG scholarship holder and headed a research transfer at the TU Dresden. In 2018 he moved to the Technical University of Munich as head of the first DFG Emmy-Noether group in electrical engineering for the field of Quantum Technologies, where he researches the integration of Quantum Technology into communication networks and the areas of Quantum Networks, information-theoretical modeling of physical processes and software engineering for Quantum Hardware represents.
LEIBNIZ-INSTITUT FÜR FESTKÖRPER- UND WERKSTOFFFORSCHUNG (IFW) DRESDEN
The Institute for Integrative Nanosciences (IIN) of the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW) deals with nanotechnologies that enable a variety of applications from nanorobotics to Quantum Photonics. The nanophotonics group of the IIN, led by Dr. Caspar Hopfmann, is a world leader in the manufacture of entangled photon pair sources based on semiconductor Quantum Dots. It was recently proven that the Quantum Dots as Quantum Systems can also be used as optically active Quantum Storage Systems. The group is an active partner of the QR.X and ct.qmat associations.
Address / Contact
Contact SQuaD:
Deutsche Telekom AG, T‑Labs
Dr.-Ing. Oliver Holschke
E‑mail: oliver.holschke@telekom.de